The dilemma of being a Christian who writes fiction

Writing fiction would be easier if I wasn’t a Christian. I’d just sit down and write whatever I wanted. No problem. But I am a Christian. And it’s frequently been a problem.

When I began writing more than 35 years ago, I had a BA in English and the English medal for my graduating class. I also had a very strong faith in God. It seemed natural to me to combine my knowledge of good literature with my faith.

I soon found, however, that not all fiction written by Christians was for me. Some books, like the Narnia series, delighted me. A few, like In His Steps, challenged me. But many of the others seemed trite and unrealistic. How could I write in a genre that I couldn’t whole-heartedly endorse? (Of course I didn’t like a lot of mainstream books either!)

As a Christian, did I need to write for the Christian market? Or should I just try to write great fiction, regardless of content or theme?

Over the years, I tried various things. Some worked and some didn’t. Eventually, I realized it wasn’t simply a Christian/secular issue, but a far more complex one. I had to understand the various kinds of fiction, determine whether I was going to write for the market or for myself, and strive to achieve excellence in all my work.

To begin with, I sorted the possible fiction markets into four categories and I decided I wouldn’t limit what I write but simply determine which ideas fit best in each category and write accordingly.

Category A

That which is commonly known as Christian fiction—stories that are comfortable and safe for evangelical Christians to read—no overt sex or violence or swearing, solid hope-filled themes, Christian characters another Christian can relate to, plot-lines which teach something good for a person who is already a Christian. Likely to be found primarily in Christian bookstores.

Many Christian writers, including myself, still sometimes find writing for category A frustrating. The restrictions can be stifling. Sometimes a character really needs to swear. Sometimes there can be no happy ending.

A surprising number of the Christian writers I’ve talked to (especially in Canada) say they don’t read a lot of Christian fiction because in the past so many of these stories have placed the message above the character and plot. These writers say they care more about well-written stories than stories with a Christian message. But the same authors who may not read much Christian fiction may still want to include a Christian perspective in the stories they write. Perhaps the hope is that the level of quality will be raised, and perhaps that is indeed happening.

Category B

Stories where the main theme or themes fit with Christianity—redemption, salvation, etc.—but the story may have elements that some evangelical Christians would be uncomfortable reading. Some will be close to category A (e.g. the Narnia books, the Mitford series), but others will have swearing or other unacceptable things in them. While some will be found in Christian bookstores, most will be found in secular bookstores or public libraries. (e.g. Susan Howatch.) These may be published by Christian companies, secular companies, or companies that have divisions in both areas.

Category C

Stories written by Christians but not specifically dealing with any Christian issues or themes. May be light or heavy. Likely to be found in only secular bookstores. (e.g. Dorothy Sayers, P. D. James). They are normally published by secular companies.

Category D

Stories with at least one character who comes to have a faith (or a stronger faith) in God. The evangelistic overtones can be overt or subtle. The goal is normally to have the reader make a similar decision. These stories are normally quite difficult to get published, especially if they are overtly evangelical. They are not really targeted for Christians and therefore may not interest Christian publishers, yet may be too Christian for a secular publisher/bookstore.

While many Christian writers veer toward this type of book, few publishers are actually looking for this kind of story.

Choosing

As I struggled over the years to decide which of these categories is the best one, I finally realized that none of them is any better or more sacred than the others. In other words, God calls Christians to write in every one of these categories. Some of us will stick to a single category; others will write in two or even three categories; a few of us will write in all four. But every Christian doesn’t have to write Christian fiction; and every book written by a Christian doesn’t have to have the gospel message in it. If we seek God’s direction, strive for excellence, and ask him to use not only our writing but every part of our lives, we will be fulfilling his call to be fiction writers.

Re-posted from January 2006. Copyright N. J. Lindquist, 2013. This article was first published in Exchange magazine in 2002. Not to be reprinted without permission.

Comments

I’m category B, C, and D. It is not that I’m not a Christian or don’t enjoy occasional Christian fiction. I just can’t write it. I like books with great themes, plots, character development, and struggle. I don’t consider swearing necessarily wrong, either. I will never take God’s name in vain. Any other words I use (examples being the other word for illegitimate, whore, or a-s-s) are used in context. I think violence can be used the same way. And romance (not heavy erotica, mind you, but kissing and the like). I’ve made some friendships of mine uncomfortable with concepts like this, but it’s just who I am. And I believe God is calling me to write for the secular YA group. I know their voice and I know what they will listen to. God’s using that.

I’ve needed to read this so much!!! I’m a relatively new Christian (I grew up going to church and yet my faith in God has grown to be deeper and closer than any other time in my childhood or over my teen years (when I really didn’t think too much about it). It’s part of my daily practice now and I feel SO much closer to God. Yet, as a fiction writer I’ve struggled greatly with what I would normally write about – I’ve written about supernatural topics and ghost stories and I’ve thought lately…that really really doesn’t feel right anymore. I’ve been contemplating and praying about it a bit (I should more) but finally decided to google this topic. Reading your post made me feel better about more guided about what I should write. I will pray about it more but now I feel like it’s less of a taboo for me. I’ve loved writing all my life and can’t imagine giving it up or only writing Christian fiction (which is nice but not something I’ve connected to a lot; although I definitely don’t want to write it off). Thank you!

So true, NJ. While we often critique books from a literary/artistic standpoint, this brings up the question of how we should critique fiction authors for their “spiritual” decisions. That one is too moralizing. That one is too secular. That one is too dark. It’s hard to draw the line.

Ultimately, our writing should come as an extension of our spiritual life and relationship with God. “Out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks”, or in this situation, “the pen writes”. We have to walk and write in his Spirit, and encourage the writers around us as they also endeavor to write out of the overflow of their hearts.

Maria, I don’t think there is a firm “right or wrong” as to what genre of fiction we write. That said, I can’t see writing any benefit to writing porn or erotica. However, within normal genres, I think there is room for lots of fiction that isn’t blatantly Christian but still has an element that will come in because of one’s faith. Just as someone who is into saving the environment will likely have something about that somewhere, large or small, in what they write.

A big thing is to understand who your target audience is and why. I’ll be talking about that one of these days.

I can definitely relate to this, thanks for posting. I am an incurable romanticist but as a Christian I too struggle with my stories as I do not want to write anything that would compromise my Christian values. I do write non fiction stories that are faith based and which I hope will inspire the reader, but I also write fiction in the romance genre. This is where I have to ask God for direction. I recently placed a story on hold because of this….. still struggling with it.

It seems to me that you have a unique ability to articulate the questions I have rolling around in my head, and then answer them quite well indeed. I’m confident that God has called me to write, but what shall I write and to whom??? I know that I need more education in writing and much, much more practise, but I still felt torn as to what direction God was calling me to. You’ve answered many of my questions and have shone a light through a soupy fog. Thank you for your insight, experience and your inspiration.

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